I’ve come to a simple conclusion about email. I should never send emails when I first wake up. I should always wait until I have:
- Worked out, or…
- Eaten, or…
- Showered, or…
- Had my cappuccino, or…
- Had my smoothie, or…
- Expended yesterday’s meals, or…
- Read my morning papers, or…
- Driven to work, or…
- Walked to work, or…
- Run to work, or…
- Biked to work, or…
- All of the above!
The thing is I have realized that while I don’t believe I am a grump in the morning, I must be a grump in the morning. Because some of the emails I write are downright stupid, mean, inappropriate, uncalled for, cowardly, unfair, and totally misguided. A friend of mine says “you read email in the mood you are in.” He’s right. I told him I was going to steal his quote and I just did.
The good news is I actually told him that today, so he can’t accuse me of stealing. Because if he did I may write him a nasty email. Tomorrow. First thing in the morning.
It’s not that I believe I am grumpy in the mornings as much as I am wound up. I actually love the mornings. This morning (July 21st, 2014) was blindingly amazing. The weather was perfect. I snared the primo parking spot at Starbucks. My gym wasn’t too crowded. Even the old guy who interrupted my workout (there is one every day at my gym), had something interesting to say.
But I am wound up.
I think I am like a firecracker. The fuse is lit when my eyes open. The smell of the flame activates my senses. The hiss of the chord rings in my ears. For some bizarre reason I don’t know if the ignition point will be trigger celebratory fireworks or client damaging dynamite? Most days turn into a celebration of sorts. But somehow my paranoia has me looking over my shoulder at the business bogeyman like he’s going to get me.
After all these years.
So if you’re reading this at the break of dawn, hopefully I haven’t emailed you. If I have, feel free to send me back a mood rating. Or if you are reading this in the eve and want to play havoc with my attempt at self-discipline, send me a midnight rant that will subliminally haunt my iPhone all night. Then see how I fare.
It’s time to take more positive control of my mornings. That can’t include a bowl of email to start!